# Ken Hon

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{{Short description|American geologist and head of Alaska Volcano Observatory}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}{{Infobox academic
| name = Ken Hon
| honorific_suffix = Ph.D.
| website = {{URL|https://www.usgs.gov/staff-profiles/ken-hon}}
| titles = Scientist-in-Charge ([HVO](/source/Hawaiian_Volcano_Observatory))
| education = [University of Colorado Boulder](/source/University_of_Colorado_Boulder) ([BS](/source/Bachelor_of_Science), [PhD](/source/Doctor_of_Philosophy))
| image = Ken Hon (P1030368).jpg
| caption = Ken Hon pictured {{circa|2011}}
}}

'''Kenneth Hon''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kenneth Hon, Professor of Geology |url=https://hilo.hawaii.edu/keaohou/2012/10/17/hon-geology-volcanology/ |access-date=May 1, 2023 |website=Keaohou |date=October 17, 2012 |publisher=[UH Hilo](/source/University_of_Hawai%CA%BBi_at_Hilo) |language=en-US}}</ref> usually known professionally as '''Ken Hon''', is a [geologist](/source/geologist) and the 21st Scientist-in-Charge (SIC) of the [Hawaiian Volcano Observatory](/source/Hawaiian_Volcano_Observatory) (HVO),<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1360023871433375754|user=USGSVolcanoes|title=Welcome Dr. Ken Hon, new scientist-in-charge of the #HawaiianVolcanoObservatory. Formerly a professor at @UHHilo, Ken is the 21st SIC, following Tina Neal (2015–2020), Jim Kauahikaua (2004–2015), and Don Swanson (1997–2004).|author=USGS Volcanoes🌋|author-link=Volcano Hazards Program|date=February 11, 2021}}</ref> serving since 2021;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ken Hon named scientist-in-charge at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory |url=https://hilo.hawaii.edu/chancellor/stories/2021/02/03/ken-hon-named-scientist-in-charge/ |access-date=May 1, 2023 |website=[UH Hilo](/source/University_of_Hawai%CA%BBi_at_Hilo) |date=February 3, 2021 |language=en-US}} [https://facebook.com/107282011464/posts/10158868619806465/ Facebook]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 14, 2021 |title=Ken Hon returns to HVO as Scientist-in-Charge |url=https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2021/02/14/hawaii-news/volcano-update/ken-hon-returns-to-hvo-as-scientist-in-charge/ |access-date=May 1, 2023 |website=[West Hawaii Today](/source/West_Hawaii_Today) |language=en-US}}</ref> succeeding [Tina Neal](/source/Christina_Neal) (SIC) and [David Phillips](/source/David_Phillips_(geologist)) (Interim SIC).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Volcano Watch — Ken Hon returns to HVO as Scientist-in-Charge |url=https://www.usgs.gov/news/volcano-watch-ken-hon-returns-hvo-scientist-charge |access-date=May 1, 2023 |website=[U.S. Geological Survey](/source/United_States_Geological_Survey)}}</ref> Hon has often been a contact from the Observatory to the news media, and as such is often quoted as an authority figure in the field of Hawaiian volcanology.<ref>Multiple sources:

* {{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Caleb |date=September 30, 2021 |title=Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Erupts, Lava Fountains Form in National Park |url=https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/hawaiis-kilauea-volcano-erupts-within-national-park/2976026/ |website=[NBC10 Philadelphia](/source/WCAU) |language=en-US}}
* {{Cite web |date=September 23, 2022 |title=Seismic Activity Beneath Mauna Loa Increasing |url=https://bigislandgazette.com/seismic-activity-beneath-mauna-loa-increasing/ |website=Hawaii News and Island Information |language=en-US}}
* {{Cite web |date=September 24, 2022 |title=Earthquake Swarm Underway at World's Largest Active Volcano; USGS Issues Update |url=https://weatherboy.com/earthquake-swarm-underway-at-worlds-largest-active-volcano-usgs-issues-update/ |website=Weatherboy |language=en-US}}
* {{Cite web |date=November 30, 2022 |title=LIVE BLOG: Mauna Loa lava may soon reach Daniel K. Inouye Highway |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2022/11/30/breaking-news/mauna-loa-lava-flows-draw-throngs-of-spectators/ |website=[Honolulu Star-Advertiser](/source/Honolulu_Star-Advertiser) |language=en-US}} [https://www.facebook.com/staradvertiser/posts/6011137065564130/ Facebook]
* {{Cite web |last=Osher |first=Wendy |date=December 13, 2022 |title=HVO: Mauna Loa and Kīlauea are "no longer erupting"; volcano alert levels reduced |url=https://mauinow.com/2022/12/13/hvo-mauna-loa-is-no-longer-erupting-volcano-alert-level-reduced/ |website=Maui Now}}
* {{Cite web |date=January 5, 2023 |title=Ken Hon with Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, has the latest details on Kilauea eruption |url=https://www.kitv.com/video/ken-hon-with-hawaiian-volcano-observatory-has-the-latest-details-on-kilauea-eruption/video_3cd4c40d-04ac-567f-90c6-a694520084b7.html |website=[KITV Island News](/source/KITV) |language=en}} [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKJFCwRIp-8 YouTube]
* {{Cite news |date=January 6, 2023 |title=Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupts again as the summit crater glows |work=[NPR](/source/NPR) |agency=Associated Press |location=Honolulu |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/01/06/1147347509/hawaiis-kilauea-volcano-erupts-again-as-the-summit-crater-glows}}
* {{Cite web |date=January 6, 2023 |title=Ken Hon: The scientist-in-charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory explains the recent eruption of Mauna Loa |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/01/06/editorial/5-questions-with/ken-hon-the-scientist-in-charge-at-the-hawaiian-volcano-observatory-explains-the-recent-eruption-of-mauna-loa/ |url-access=subscription |website=[Honolulu Star-Advertiser](/source/Honolulu_Star-Advertiser) |language=en-US}}
* {{Cite web |last=Hurley |first=Timothy |date=March 2, 2023 |title=Volcano observatory eyes new Hilo headquarters |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/03/02/hawaii-news/volcano-observatory-eyes-new-hilo-headquarters/ |url-access=subscription |website=[Honolulu Star-Advertiser](/source/Honolulu_Star-Advertiser) |language=en-US}}
* {{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=Kaile |date=March 7, 2023 |title=Lava no longer flowing on Kilauea's crater floor |url=https://www.khon2.com/hawaii-travel/lava-no-longer-flowing-on-kilaueas-crater-floor/ |access-date=May 2, 2023 |website=KHON2 |place=Honolulu |language=en-US |agency=KHON2}}
* {{Cite web |last=Christophel |first=Nathan |date=March 17, 2023 |title=Hawaiian Volcano Observatory getting a new home in Hilo on the Big Island |url=https://kauainownews.com/2023/03/17/hawaiian-volcano-observatory-getting-a-new-home-in-hilo-on-the-big-island/ |access-date= |website=Kauai Now}}
* {{Cite web |last=Christophel |first=Nathan |date=March 30, 2023 |title=Kīlauea eruption paused: 'Mahalo Pele, and a hui hou (until we meet again)' |url=https://bigislandnow.com/2023/03/30/mahalo-pele-goddess-of-volcanoes-and-a-hui-hou-until-we-meet-again-at-kilauea/ |website=Big Island Now}}

{{Retrieved|access-date=May 1, 2023}}</ref>

== Career ==
As well as his work at HVO, Hon has been a professor at [UH Hilo](/source/University_of_Hawai%CA%BBi_at_Hilo).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ken Hon |url=https://completecollege.org/person/ken-hon/ |access-date=May 2, 2023 |website=Complete College America |language=en-US}}</ref> He also served as the Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Hilo,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ken Hon named interim vice chancellor for academic affairs |url=https://hilo.hawaii.edu/blog/chancellor/2017/05/03/ken-hon-named-interim-vice-chancellor-of-academic-affairs/ |access-date=May 2, 2023 |website=[UH Hilo](/source/University_of_Hawai%CA%BBi_at_Hilo) |language=en-US}}</ref> and eventually became the full Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ken Hon Is New Scientist-in-Charge at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory |url=https://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2021/02/01/ken-hon-is-new-scientist-in-charge-at-the-usgs-hawaiian-volcano-observatory/ |access-date=May 2, 2023 |website=Big Island Video News |date=February 2021 |agency=BIVN}}</ref> Also at Hilo, he served as chair of the Geology Department.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Day with Volcanologist Dr. Ken Hon |url=https://www.fhvnp.org/events/a-day-with-volcanologist-dr-ken-hon/ |access-date=May 2, 2023 |website=Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park |language=en-US}}</ref>

Hon was serving as the SIC during the [2022 eruption of Mauna Loa](/source/2022_eruption_of_Mauna_Loa), during which time he was widely quoted in the news as he made statements from the Observatory to the press.<ref>Multiple sources:
*{{Cite web |last1=Reals |first1=Tucker |last2=Martinez |first2=Gina |last3=Sundby |first3=Alex |date=November 28, 2022 |title=Hawaii's Mauna Loa, the world's largest active volcano, erupting for first time in almost 40 years |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mauna-loa-volcano-eruption-hawaii-2022/  |website=[CBS News](/source/CBS_News) |language=en-US}}
*{{Cite web |last1=McShane |first1=Julianne |last2=Siemaszko |first2=Corky |date=November 28, 2022 |title=World's largest active volcano, Mauna Loa, erupts in Hawaii |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/worlds-largest-active-volcano-mauna-loa-erupts-hawaii-not-publish-pre-rcna54571  |website=[NBC News](/source/NBC_News) |language=en}}
*{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2022 |title=World's largest active volcano, Mauna Loa, erupts in Hawaii |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/28/worlds-largest-active-volcano-mauna-loa-erupts-in-hawaii.html  |website=[CNBC](/source/CNBC) |language=en}}
*{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Caleb |date=November 28, 2022 |title=Hawaii's Mauna Loa erupts for the first time in 38 years |url=https://www.boston.com/news/national-news/2022/11/28/hawaii-volcano-mauna-loa-erupts/ |website=[Boston.com](/source/Boston.com) |place=Honolulu |language=en-US |quote=''Hawaii volcano Mauna Loa erupts: What to know'' |agency=Associated Press}}
*{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Benjamin |date=November 28, 2022 |title=Largest active volcano erupts for first time in 38 years - locals sent 'warning' |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/largest-active-volcano-erupts-first-28606158 |website=[The Mirror](/source/Daily_Mirror) |language=en}}
*{{Cite web |last=Gutierrez |first=Ben |date=November 28, 2022 |title=Authorities stress vigilance as Hawaii's Mauna Loa volcano erupts |url=https://www.nbc15.com/2022/11/28/hawaiis-mauna-loa-volcano-is-erupting/ |website=[WMTV](/source/WMTV) |place=Hawaii Volcanoes National Park |language=en |agency=KHNL/Gray News}}
*{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Caleb |date=November 28, 2022 |title=Erupting Hawaii volcano spurs warning for people to prepare |url=https://phys.org/news/2022-11-hawaii-mauna-loa-erupts-people.html |website=[phys.org](/source/phys.org) |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}
*{{Cite news |last=Sampson |first=Hannah |date=November 29, 2022 |title=How the Mauna Loa eruption could impact your Hawaii trip |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/mauna-loa-eruption-hawaii-travel-flights/ |newspaper=[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post) |language=en}}
*{{Cite web |last=McAvoy |first=Audrey |date=November 29, 2022 |title=Here's what you need to know about the eruption of Hawaii's Mauna Loa volcano |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-eruption-of-hawaiis-mauna-loa-volcano |website=[PBS NewsHour](/source/PBS_NewsHour) |place=Honolulu |language=en-us |agency=Associated Press}}
*{{Cite web |last=Kooser |first=Amanda |date=November 29, 2022 |title=Mauna Loa Volcano Eruption: Satellites Capture Striking Views From Space |url=https://www.cnet.com/science/space/mauna-loa-volcano-eruption-satellites-capture-striking-views-from-space/ |website=[CNET](/source/CNET) |language=en |quote=''See Striking Space Views of Hawaii's Mauna Loa Volcano Erupting for First Time in Decades''}}
*{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Caleb |date=November 30, 2022 |title=Lava from Hawaii volcano lights night sky amid warnings |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2022/11/30/lava-from-hawaii-volcano-lights-night-sky-amid-warnings/ |website=[The Denver Post](/source/The_Denver_Post) |place=Kailua-Kona |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}}
*{{Cite journal |last=Scruggs |first=Melissa |date=November 30, 2022 |title=Earth's largest volcano has started erupting. What might we expect? |url=https://temblor.net/earthquake-insights/mauna-loa-volcano-eruption-november-2022-14712/ |journal=Temblor |language=en-US |doi=10.32858/temblor.286|s2cid=254343872 |url-access=subscription }}
*{{Cite web |date=December 1, 2022 |title=Advancing Lava Flows Could Sever Hawaii Island's Only East-West Highway, or Maybe Not |url=https://weatherboy.com/advancing-lava-flows-could-sever-hawaii-islands-only-east-west-highway-or-maybe-not/ |website=Weatherboy |language=en-US}}
*{{Cite web |date=December 13, 2022 |title=USGS: Hawaiian volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kilauea no longer erupting |url=https://www.kxii.com/2022/12/13/usgs-hawaiian-volcanoes-mauna-loa-kilauea-no-longer-erupting/ |website=[KXII](/source/KXII) |place=Hilo |language=en |agency=HawaiiNewsNow/Gray News}}
*{{Cite web |date=December 13, 2022 |title=USGS: Mauna Loa and Kilauea no longer erupting; alert levels downgraded |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2022/12/13/usgs-mauna-loa-no-longer-erupting-alert-level-downgraded-advisory-yellow/ |website=[Hawaii News Now](/source/Hawaii_News_Now) |place=Hilo |language=en |agency=HawaiiNewsNow}}
*{{Cite web |title=KWXX Mauna Loa Eruption Updates |url=https://www.kwxx.com/podcast/mauna-loa-update/ |website=[KWXX - Hilo, HI](/source/KWXX-FM) |language=en-US}}
{{Retrieved|access-date=May 1, 2023}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* {{ResearchGate|id=Ken-Hon}}
* [https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/ken-hon-scientist-charge-usgs-hvo Ken Hon, Scientist in Charge, USGS HVO] (Hon pictured 2021)
* [https://www.usgs.gov/media/videos/what-can-lava-tell-us-deciphering-kilaueas-2018-eruption What can lava tell us? Deciphering Kīlauea's 2018 eruption] (U.S. Geological Survey video featuring Hon)

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hon, Ken}}
Category:Living people
Category:United States Geological Survey personnel
Category:American geologists
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:University of Colorado Boulder alumni

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ken Hon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Hon) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Hon?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.